DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 330 Reengrossed 2022 Regular Session Travis Johnson
Abstract: Creates the Louisiana Industrial Hemp Promotion and Research Program.
Proposed law establishes the La. Industrial Hemp Promotion and Research Program to support the
growth and development of the industrial hemp industry in La.
Proposed law defines the following terms:
(1)"Board" means the La. Industrial Hemp Promotion and Research Advisory Board.
(2)"Commissioner" means the La. commissioner of agriculture and forestry.
(3)"Industrial hemp" means the same as defined in present law.
(4)"Industrial hemp educational program" means any event focused on improving a participant's
understanding of the industrial hemp industry.
(5)"Industrial hemp facility" means any facility used to produce or process industrial hemp.
(6)"Industrial hemp industry member" means any person with an interest and background in the
requirements of producing, handling, processing, or selling industrial hemp or products
produced from industrial hemp.
(7)"Industrial hemp research" means any scholarly activity conducted to collect scientific data
utilizing experimental design as authorized under this Chapter.
(8)"Program" means the La. Industrial Hemp Promotion and Research Program.
(9)"Promotion of the industrial hemp industry" means the development of a comprehensive
marketing plan for the industrial hemp industry, which may include a website, social media,
and an advertising program.
Proposed law creates the La. Industrial Hemp Promotion and Research Advisory Board within the
Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry.
Proposed law provides that the board shall consist of 11 members appointed by the commissioner
as follows: (1)One member who is engaged in the production of industrial hemp or industrial hemp seed
appointed from a list of three persons nominated by the La. Farm Bureau Federation, Inc.
(2)One member who is appointed from a list of three persons nominated by the La. State Univ.
Agricultural Ctr.
(3)One member who is appointed from a list of three persons nominated by the Southern Univ.
Agricultural Ctr.
(4)One member appointed from a list of three persons nominated by the chairman of the House
Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development.
(5)One member appointed from a list of three persons nominated by the chairman of the Senate
Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture and Rural Development.
(6)One member who is a licensed grower of industrial hemp.
(7)One member who is a licensed processor of industrial hemp.
(8)One member who is a consumer of industrial hemp.
(9)One member who is a representative of the La. industrial hemp industry.
(10)One member appointed from a list of three persons nominated by the La. Black Farmers
Cannabis and Hemp Assoc.
(11)One member appointed from a list of three persons nominated by the Morehouse Parish
Black Farmers and Landowners Assoc.
Proposed law requires the commissioner or his designee to serve as an ex officio member in an
advisory capacity only.
Proposed law provides for the organization and administration of the board, including provisions for
nominations, the length of terms, vacancies, quorum requirements, expulsions, meeting
requirements, and appointment of officers.
Proposed law specifies that the board should be representative of the state's population by race and
gender to ensure diversity.
Proposed law prohibits members of the board from receiving any compensation.
Proposed law requires the board to:
(1)Advise the commissioner on the development and maintenance of the La. Industrial Hemp
Promotion and Research Program. (2)Maintain a permanent record of its proceedings.
(3)Submit an annual report of its activities to the House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry,
Aquaculture, and Rural Development and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry,
Aquaculture and Rural Development by Jan. 31st of each year.
Proposed law authorizes the board to:
(1)Provide information to governmental entities upon request on subjects of concern to the
industrial hemp industry and collaborate with the state or federal government on the
development and administration of the program.
(2)Cooperate with any local, state, regional, or national organization or agency engaged in
activities consistent with the objectives of the program.
Proposed law authorizes the commissioner to:
(1)Adopt such rules and regulations, as are necessary to administer the program, in accordance
with the Administrative Procedure Act.
(2)Enter into contracts or other agreements to accomplish any purpose authorized by proposed
law, including advertising, education, marketing, promotion, research, or services.
Proposed law authorizes the commissioner to accept and expend monies from any source, including
gifts, contributions, donations, state appropriations, and federal grants, and to accept and use services
from individuals, corporations, and governmental entities.
Proposed law requires all funds made available to the commissioner be expended only to effectuate
the purposes of proposed law, including the following uses:
(1)To attract additional business associated with the industrial hemp industry to La. including
processors.
(2)To develop and promote La. industrial hemp brands or marketing campaigns.
(3)To aid in the development of a coordinated research plan designed to develop higher quality
industrial hemp seeds and plants best suited for cultivation within the state, new and
improved uses for industrial hemp, and best management practices.
(4)To develop educational programs and disseminate educational materials about industrial
hemp.
(5)To support the enhancement and maintenance of public-use industrial hemp facilities,
specifically those used for the purposes of promotion and research. (6)To promote activities, facilities, events, and the needs of the La. industrial hemp industry.
(7)To contract for scientific research with accredited postsecondary education institutions or
similar educational institutions and industrial hemp licensees authorized to conduct industrial
hemp research under present law that will assist in carrying out the purposes of the program,
including industrial hemp best management practices.
Proposed law provides for the transfer of the program to the Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry as
provided by law.
(Adds R.S. 3:1491-1496 and R.S. 36:629(L)(4))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Set the term of board members at the pleasure of the commissioner only and remove the
criteria that board member terms are concurrent with the term of the commissioner.
2. Make technical changes.